Scottish Golf today announces the appointment of Stuart Clayton as Director of Pathways and Coaching. Stuart is currently Performance Coach with the women and girls’ squads and returns to a leadership role previously held in 2018.
“I can’t wait to get started in the new role to help develop and enhance the environment and opportunity for all golfers in Scotland. The vision that Scottish Golf has for the future is something I am proud to be part of and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure that there is a fantastic pathway for golf for all,” he said.
Stuart is a PGA Fellow professional with over 25 years’ experience around the globe coaching golfers and developing coaches. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to further enhance the performance pathway for all golfers. His professional journey started in 1995 and he has since gone on to work with players of all levels from Major winners, Collegiate players, amateurs and beginners across Europe, Asia, USA and (most recently) Scotland. Stuart has mentored and trained over 75 coaches around the world, helping them refine their own coaching skills and helping Federations such as Spain and Egypt develop their education and training programmes. In 2020 Stuart was recognised by Golf Digest as a Top 75 International Teacher.
“To have someone of Stuart’s calibre and experience coming into this newly-created role is a real bonus,” said Karin Sharp, Chief Operating Officer. “The role deliberately extends beyond the performance programme, and as such, Stuart will have the opportunity to engage with the wider membership – and other key stakeholders – to develop a more cohesive pathway and increase opportunities for all ages and abilities to engage in the great game of golf in Scotland.”
Joining Stuart in the performance team will be Rachel Knight as Performance Programme Manager, a key performance-focused role within Scottish Golf. Rachel’s passion for golf began in Cardiff, Wales. As an amateur she won the Welsh Girls’ Championship (2010), which secured her a place in the performance programme for the Welsh Golf Union.
In 2014, Rachel graduated from Nova Southeastern University, Florida, with a Bachelors in Psychology, where she attended on an American golf scholarship. It was here Rachel was awarded the 2013 Sportsmanship Award for her positive and enthusiastic personality: the first nominee in the history of the award to be submitted by a competing institution.
Fuelled by her passion to provide others with the opportunities to get into golf, Rachel returned to the UK and turned professional after representing Wales in the Ladies Home International Matches. She began her PGA training while based at the Vale Resort and four years later, after running a successful junior program, Rachel accepted a position at St Andrews Links and moved to Scotland.
At the Home of Golf, Rachel became an experienced operational specialist for the Academy, also taking on the role of the Coordinator for St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) – a program that dedicates itself to providing golf opportunities to children who reside in St Andrews.
“I am delighted to join the Scottish Golf Team. The vision and dedication that the team has inspires me to help develop winning golfers through implementing a world class performance programme,” said Rachel Knight.
